Awesome win against the BC Lions last game. The whole team played well. Unfortunately we lost the CFL leading receiver last year in Ken-Yon Rambo.It was a tough lost for the Stamps receiving crew but I am sure the others will respond. The injury to Rambo were even tougher to swallow because of the missed horse-collar call from the referee. Oh well, that is over with and even if the referee made the call, it won't bring Rambo back in the lineup now. Another bad news is our top defensive player in Shannon James also got hurt during practice this week. The good news is, the injury is minor and the Stamps think James will be available in tomorrow's game.
Okay, for the good news. Nik Lewis who missed last game vs BC will be back in the lineup against the Melonheads. The play of Jermaine Jackson last game also showed positive sign for the Stamps. Him and Copeland played well last game that you hardly notice we don't have Rambo and Lewis on the lineup last game.
Our defense played well last game that both Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson were so ineffective. Even what's his face, the guy who call himself Superman(Simon) was a non-factor.
Pretty interesting practice this week. Two players that least likely to fight anyone had a tussle on practice. Yes, those are none other than the 2 kickers Sandro DeAngelis and Burke Dales.
Quarterback: Hank still haven't had a solid game so far this early season. He had a slow start again last game but when BC scored a TD, it seems like it woke him up. Or was it because they established a running game. Nealy came in early for a few snaps. Kind of strange to see him that early. I guess Huffer just want Burris to have a look-see on what is going on the field. I like Nealy but I wish I can see him throw the ball a few times and not run all the time.
--- Hank need to have a fast start against the Riders to quiet the Riders fans. He also need to mix up the plays to confuse the Riders defense. Their defense is not that good this season.
STARTER: Burris BACKUP: Nealy and Tate.
Running Back: Joffrey Reynolds was very effective last game. First time this season that he touch the ball a lot. It shows what he can do when offense uses him a lot. He ran for over 130 yards and he caught some passes as well. Jon Cornish in relief did not dissappoint us.
--- repeat of the last game... GIVE JOFFREY the ball. Cornish can run the ball as well and the Stamps should take advantage of it.
STARTER: Reynolds, Johnson BACKUP: Cornish and Cote
Offensive Linemen: Second game last week that starting OLines played together this season. They gave Joffrey a lot of room out there and also gave Hank lots of time. BC Lions DLine were no match to this guys.
---- like I mention earlier, Saskatchewan defense is not that good this season. Avoid the penalties and the OLine can dominate against the Riders DLine.
Receiver: No Lewis in the game. They lost Rambo to injury early in the game. The rest of the receivers responded well to adversity. Copeland had an awesome game leading the game with 2 TDs(would have been 3). Jermaine Jackson played well as well. He caught 1 TD last game. Ryan Thelwell and Brett Ralph were consistent again. With Rambo out, we might see Teyo and Ryan's some more actions.
STARTER: Lewis, Copeland, Ralph, Jackson
BACKUP: Thelwell, Johnson.
INJURIES: Rambo out for the season.
Defensive Linemen: DLine were awesome again 2nd games in a row. Although they weren't as good as the game against Toronto but they were a force again against BC. Pierce and Jackson were running for their life all night and they were so ineffective. Speedster Odell Willis reminds me of Charleston Hughes while Tom Johnson reminds me of Eddie Freeman. With Willis and Malik Jackson keep forcing the QB to run, I can see them having huse success against Durant.We still double-teaming on Labinjo but I am sure the other team will start thinking twice now because of those speedsters on the outside.
Linebacking: Linebacking crew is banged up this week. Their leader Shannon James might not play due to ankle injury sustained in practice when Rob Cote stepped on James' foot. Keon Raymond have been practicing on the starter's position all week in case James can't play. Raymond is actually player. He is another converted LB. Blackmon is improving game by game. Carpenter have been consistent so far this season.
STARTER: James, Carpenter and Blackmon
BACKUP: Black, Calixte, Grootegood, Raymond
Defensive Back: Browner has been a force this early season. The guy can hit and cover some good receivers. Both Amadi and Tate are doing so much better but I can still see the Riders going after them.
STARTER: Browner, Amadi, Tate, Anderson, Collins
BACKUP: Lysack, Raymond
Special Team: I am very happy that the Stamps are using less and less of Markus Howell on the punt return. I still feel Howell is playing scared whenever he ran the punt return. He is not using his explosiveness. Titus Ryan on the other is a huge threat. He can make them miss him. Mr. Perfect Sandro is always the player you can count on. Dales still needs some work but he is improving every game. No question, our cover team are probably the best in the league.
McMahon securities and cops will have to work their buns off again this game. With Riders fans outnumbering the Stamps fans most of the time the Riders play here, those melonheads tends to get rowdy. I think the Riders fans are one of the best in the league but there is always others that will ruin the reputations of Rider Nation. It will be interesting on how many people will get kicked out in this game.
Stamps fans, it is time to show the CFL who is the best in the league in a more civil way.
GO STAMPS GO!!
More updates before game time....
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SASKATCHEWAN: DB Daniel Francis, LB Jerell Freeman, OL Gene Makowsky, WR Adam Nicolson and DL Joe Sykes are in.
INJURY LISTB Carlos Armour(leg),DE JOhn Chick(shoulder),QB Graham Harrell(turf toe),FB Neal Hughes(leg),RT Belton Johnson(quadriceps/pectoral),WR David McKoy(knee),DB Leron Mitchell(leg),WR Eric Morris(knee),LT Wayne Smith(Achilles)
DB Carlos Armour, OL Nick Hutchins, WR Chris Jones and OL Matt O'Meara are out. SB Andy Fantuz is a game-time decision. If he can't play, R Chris Getzlaf will start.
Location: In a land without pants, or war, or want. But mostly we care about the pants.
Exp:
I'm glad that the vast numbers of sensible Riders fans out there will be riding herd on the tiny, tiny minority of Saskatchewan fans who get drunk and act like fools. That's why I can confidently predict that we won't hear even one story of how visiting fans got out of hand due to drinking too many Pils without ma or pa on hand to keep 'em civilized.
And then I woke up.
__________________
Better educated sadness than oblivious joy.
That's why it is so important to have the running game working as well. The fake run handout really fooled the Riders' defense that's why Jon Cornish was so wide open for a TD pass. Score 7-7
GAME 5: Saskatchewan at CALGARY STAMPEDERS
